The popular questions and answers site, Answers.com has announced they have been acquired by AFCV Holdings, LLC. for $127 million. AFCV Holdings is paying $10.50 per share for the outstanding shares. “This is a great outcome for our shareholders,” said Bob Rosenschein, Founder, Chairman and CEO. “After an exciting six years as a public company, […]
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Google Social Search Launches, Gives Results From Your Trusted “Social Circle” Google Social Search is rolling out, a new service from Google that allows you to easily find material written by […]
When “activist investor” Carl Icahn forced his way onto Yahoo’s board in the middle of last year the company was resisting a takeover attempt from Microsoft. Icahn wanted to see a deal and was trying with all his might to broker one between the two companies. He initiated a very public bid to oust Yahoo […]
At last Friday’s annual Yahoo shareholder meeting, the Yahoo slate of directors was re-elected, with CEO Jerry Yang and Chariman Roy Bostock receiving 15 percent and 20 percent “no” votes. AllThingsD points out these numbers are actually better than last year in the absence of the MicroHoo controversy and proxy contest. Yahoo Director Robert A. […]
Reuters reports that Gordon Crawford of Capital Research and Management, one of Yahoo’s largest shareholders, has apparently said that he may not support the existing Yahoo board at Friday’s annual shareholder meeting. The only trouble is that Yahoo’s settlement with Carl Icahn removes the ability for Crawford and other disgruntled shareholders to vote for alternatives […]
In the latest and perhaps strangest escalation of name calling and “he-said/she-said” accusations, Yahoo, Yahoo insurgent shareholder Carl Icahn, and Microsoft have all issued dueling press releases in the wake of the latest Yahoo rejection of the latest, somewhat unexpected Microsoft (now + Icahn) search takeover offer.
Microsoft has once again put in an offer to buy Yahoo’s search assets — and once again been rejected. The latest offer was a joint one made by Microsoft and Carl Icahn. Yahoo slammed what it described was a “take it or leave it” offer and the one day deadline that came with it. But interestingly, Yahoo […]
When the highly anticipated Yahoo-Google paid search deal was announced on Thursday, the fallout and speculation began immediately: would it help Yahoo or was it an act of capitulation to Google? Coming as it did with the formal end of talks with Microsoft, was it a betrayal of Yahoo shareholders? Ironically, insurgent Yahoo stockholder and […]
Dear Carl. We here at Yahoo got your letter telling us how much we suck. We think you suck more And let us tell you why. That’s the short summary of Yahoo’s response to Carl Icahn’s letter yesterday telling Yahoo he will fight to oust their board and do a deal with Microsoft, assuming Microsoft […]
As Danny reported earlier, Billionaire investor Carl Icahn is making a proxy move to oust the Yahoo board in an effort to reignite takeover talks with Microsoft. Just a few minutes ago a press release was issued by Icahn explaining his intentions and rationale.
With the first day over since Microsoft bailed on Yahoo, I find myself chuckling with agreement over Valleywag’s "Post-Microsoft, Yahoo shares ‘plunge’ from $19 to $24.60" headline. Yahoo fared far better than many had predicted. Part of that may be due to thoughts that it is not all over yet for a Yahoo-Microsoft marriage or […]
The Wall Street Journal reports this morning that Yahoo’s second largest shareholder, investment firm Legg Mason, characterized Microsoft’s recent ultimatum letter as a tactical “blunder” and said it would support Yahoo’s independence if Microsoft maintained or lowered its current offer.
Yahoo may have said no to being acquired by Microsoft, but Microsoft isn’t having it. The company has put out a statement saying the rejection was "unfortunate" and pledging to "pursue all necessary steps" to get what it called its "full and fair" proposal to be accepted. The wording suggests that Microsoft will not up […]
The Wall Street Journal covers the “open warfare” between IAC CEO Barry Diller and Liberty Media, one of its largest backers and investors. Liberty Chairman John Malone has grown increasingly frustrated with IAC’s financial and stock performance and Diller himself. Diller has control of the company through a Byzantine procedural agreement that allows him to […]
Yahoo shareholders defeat exec pay/perform link from Reuters reports Yahoo’s shareholders have defeated proposals to cut Yahoo CEO Terry Semel’s salary and to practice anti-censorship policies in China and establish a human rights committee.
Google Shareholders Vote Against Anti-Censorship Proposal from PC World reports that Google’s shareholders sided with Google and voted down the anti-censorship proposal spearheaded by the New York City pension funds and the Office of the Comptroller of New York City. In short, a majority of shareholders sided with Google, which will continue to allow Google […]
Google Faces Pressure Over Censorship from WebProNews reports that Google’s shareholders will have the right to vote at the upcoming annual meeting on the issue of censorship in China and other “abusive regimes.” Marketwatch and BetaNews both also have earlier coverage.
The NY Sun reports that William Thompson Jr., the current comptroller of New York City, has been pressuring Google and Yahoo over operating ethically and legally overseas. Thompson “filed shareholder resolutions calling on the two search engines to create practices for dealing with censorship issues in communist countries like China, North Korea, and Cuba, as […]